Yesterday, however, Mnangagwa seemed to be going on with business as usual when he officiated at the burial of former Matebeleland North governor Thokozile Mathuthu.
“The late national heroine, Cde Amai Mathuthu has left us at a time when the party has just secured a fresh mandate. The more than two-thirds majority is a loud show of support and confidence from the people,” he said, without any reference to the election challenge.
“Drawing inspiration from the collective hope and dreams of all our people, we will as Government work tirelessly in the Second Republic to improve the lives of all our citizens, in every part of the country.
“Principally, my Government has taken a decision to implement the constitutional requirements of devolving and decentralising the running of our national affairs.
“This is one of the strategies to rebuild our economy through modernisation and industrialisation; the creation of decent jobs as well as ensuring broad-based empowerment in line with our vision 2030.
“In this vision, we have a special place for the country’s youths who deserve a better life and increased opportunities. They must therefore take this programme of devolved economic development, as specifically for them.”
Mnangagwa said the theme of the Southern African Development Community summit which he had just attended: “Promoting Infrastructure Development and Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development” resonated with his government’s initiatives to leapfrog the development of quality infrastructure and its determination to harness the collective, untapped potential resident in the country’s youthful population.
“As we begin the onerous journey towards economic growth and prosperity, let us all uphold the values of patriotism, unity, peace, love and harmony. Let us equally and always encourage and inculcate the spirit of hard honest work in service to one’s nation,” he said.
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